The Direct Install program is an excellent way for your business to reduce energy costs and save money. This effortless program provides qualifying businesses with FREE energy-efficient products, FREE installation and long-term energy savings.

How Direct Install Works

SCE has contracted with highly-skilled energy efficiency experts who will come and evaluate your small business, free of charge, to identify energy savings opportunities. With your approval, the contractor will install FREE energy-efficient replacement equipment. By replacing the less efficient equipment with new, energy-efficient technology, your business will reduce its energy use, carbon footprint and electric bill — all at no cost to you.

The contractor will take 5–10 minutes to complete the energy assessment and make recommendations to improve the energy efficiency of your business. If you agree with the recommendations, the contractor will ask you to sign an Authorization Form and schedule an appointment for a convenient time to install the equipment. Installation of recommended energy-efficient equipment will take less than two hours and your business can remain open.

Take the opportunity to participate this year and let us know you are interested, this program might not be back in the area for another few years. To see approximately when your Direct Install Contractor, CRI Lighting & Electrical, will be in our area, please view the enclosed Direct Install Community Calendar.

Learn how other business owners lowered their energy usage with Direct Install by visiting www.sce.com/sbd then click on Direct Install.

It’s really that easy. There’s no catch. Simply let us help your business use energy more efficiently, conserve precious resources and improve your bottom line.

Feel free to contact us directly with questions you may have about the program.

Gabriel’s House is a non-profit emergency shelter and transitional living home located in Oxnard dedicated to serving the formerly homeless women and their children of Ventura County. Since opening in 2011, Gabriel's House has provided emergency shelter and case management services to over 400 residents with over 300 (75%) of these residents moving into stable or long-term housing programs. With 20 emergency service beds and six private family rooms, Gabriel’s House can serve up to 40 women, children, and babies at one time.

The City of Oxnard has recently chosen Gabriel’s House to be the site of Ventura County’s newest, expanded emergency shelter. This new multi-story unit, located immediately next to Gabriel’s House in Oxnard, will double or triple Gabriel’s House’s existing emergency shelter capacity. The cry and vision of Gabriel’s House is that no woman or child in our community should have to sleep outside.

Gabriel’s House is more than a comfortably furnished home on two green acres in a quiet neighborhood with security. It is an entire community of caregivers committed to serving each individual as a person, not as a case. It is a place to call home and truly be part of a family. You can learn more about Gabriel’s House at gabriel's-house.org. Requests to learn more or to get involved with Gabriel’s House can be sent to info@tkcoxnard.org or by calling (805) 487-3445.

“New federal declarations have secured additional resources for those who have suffered personal and/or business injury as a result of the Thomas Fire and subsequent mudslides and floods,” explained Briglio. “To take full advantage of these new federal resources, business owners are encouraged to follow this three-step process. For direct in-person assistance in filing with FEMA or the SBA, please visit a Disaster Recovery Center in your area. In addition, EDC-VC has compiled an online list of resources at http://edc-vc.com/disaster-recovery-services/.”

To access available federal fire and flood relief resources, people should follow this three-step process:

Step 1: Registration with FEMA- Clients who have been impacted by the Thomas Fire and subsequent flood and are interested in government assistance should apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov or by phone at 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free numbers are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

NOTE: The filing deadline to return FEMA applications for property damage is March 16, 2018. The deadline to return economic injury applications is Oct. 15, 2018.

Applicants should have the following information at hand:· Social Security number.· Address of the damaged primary residence.· Description of the damage.· Information about insurance coverage.· A current contact telephone number.· An address where they can receive mail.· Bank account and routing numbers for direct deposit of funds.

Step 2: Registration with the SBA for low-interest loans- Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available for businesses of all sizes (including landlords), private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters. Disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries. This includes Economic Injury Disaster loans for businesses that may or may not have sustained any damage, but have experienced a downturn in business because of the disaster. The SBA customer service center is also available to answer questions at 1-800-659-2955. Applicants may also come in to a Local Recovery Center (LRC) for person-to-person assistance in completing their applications. For further information, visit SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster.

Step 3: Registration with EDD for unemployment benefits- Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) benefits are now available for workers, business owners and self-employed individuals who lost their jobs or had their work hours substantially reduced as a result of the wildfires and associated flooding, mudslides and debris flows in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Those affected are encourages to apply online at https://eapply4ui.edd.ca.gov/, by calling 1-800-300-5616 (English) 1-800-326-8937 (Spanish) or by visiting a Local Recovery Center (see locations below).

Local Recovery Centers (LRC) - Two Disaster Recovery Centers are now open locally for personal and business assistance. Representatives from FEMA, SBA, OES and other agencies will be present to provide information and resources for economic and personal injury due to the Thomas Fire and subsequent floods. Locations are as follows:SANTA BARBARA

RESOURCES FOR FARMERS AND RANCHERS- The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency has opened a temporary satellite office this week in Ventura County to help farmers and ranchers who suffered losses in the Thomas Fire apply for federal disaster recovery assistance.

Applicants are asked to call the Santa Barbara FSA office at 805-928-9269 to schedule an appointment, but drop-ins are also welcome. The SBDC is funded by the SBA and provides professional business assistance at no cost to businesses. Participating businesses are required to follow a well-defined scope of work and report their economic successes. These SBA milestones are defined as job creation, increase in sales, capital investment, jobs retained and businesses started.

EDC-VC is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a business-to-government liaison to assist businesses in Ventura County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region. For more information about the Small Business Development Center, loan programs, manufacturing outreach and international trade program, or other services available to small businesses through EDC-VC, contact Bruce Stenslie at 805-384-1800 ext. 24 or bruce.stenslie@edc-vc.com. Or visit www.edc-vc.com.

Wm. Rick Gill is a native of California and has been a resident of Ventura County for over 30 years. Rick and his wife, Nancy Covarrubias Gill, believe in supporting the community by serving in various charities and events. Rick has coached youth sports and served on their board of directors. The Gills are the proud parents of their son who graduated from St. Bonaventure High School and currently attends Cal State Fullerton.

As a full time Realtor who was licensed in 2002, Rick has the knowledge and experience to guide you through the entire process of buying or selling Real Estate in Ventura County. He has an extensive background in outstanding customer service and his interpersonal skills will provide you with the best service in today’s real estate market. As a realtor, Rick’s motto is to always place his client’s interests first to provide them with the best possible service and outcomes. Rick’s favorite part of the process is handing over the keys to his first-time home buyers.

Rick was immediately impressed by Comfort Real Estate Services and their demonstrated level of professionalism and service. He is confident that his clients will enjoy and benefit by working with his team and everyone at the Comfort Real Estate Services office. Rick looks forward to getting involved with Oxnard Chamber functions, networking, serving on chamber committees and community events.

Ventura County residents and visitors will have an opportunity to raise sails, sing sea shanties, and learn about life on a 19th-century tall ship when the Hawaiian Chieftain visits the Channel Islands Harbor in December.

This one-of-a-kind tall ship based out of Grays Harbor, Washington will be docking at the Channel Islands Harbor from December 15th – 20th. The Hawaiian Chieftain, a replica of a sailing vessel that ran the trading routes in the 1800s, will be open for walk-on tours and adventure sails. A crew of 10-14 people will be on board to answer questions.

Visiting this vessel, docked near the Ventura County Harbor Patrol offices, (3900 Pelican Way Oxnard, CA 93035) is a perfect way to spend a few hours at the Harbor. Here is the schedule for the Hawaiian Chieftain: